Preventative Maintenance Tips to Prolong the Life of your Roof

When you buy a house, especially one that hasn’t been owned in some time, expect there to be quite a few issues with the house itself. Depending on the weather conditions of the area you now reside in, the worst of it will be the roof. The roof takes by far the most consistent punishment out of anywhere else in your home, so its lifespan can be short to say the least. However, this does not have to be the case. Measures can be taken to ensure a longer lifespan for your roof. This is known as preventative maintenance. If you are working with roofing contractors in Daytona Beach to repair your roof, here are some actions you could take to prolong your roof’s lifespan going forward.

#1. New shingles and frames
Whether you trust your new house’s shingles or not is really a matter of gut instinct. If you really feel like they’re on their way out, it’s best to play it safe and have them replaced as soon as possible to prevent a problem before it happens. The same thing goes for the frames of your roof. While, ideally they shouldn’t see enough sun and moisture to cause them to rot for a long time, depending on how old that house is, you may be on the verge of those frames giving way. Have an inspector over take a look at the frame and discern whether or not they need replacing. If they do, even if they aren’t in immediate danger of doing so, do it anyway to give your roof several more decades of life.

#2. Apply primer regularly
Shingles can do fine on their own against the elements for a long time, but applying a fresh coat of primer regularly can increase their lifespan by as much as ten years. Reinforcing the waterproofing of your shingles through primer is a cheap and easy way (at least in comparison to full replacement) to keep your shingles in proper working order for years to come.

#3. Trim branches near your house
The other thing roofs have to worry about besides rain is damage from tree branches. Long branches scratching at your roof can seriously damage it if left unchecked. Look around for any trees whose branches are too close for comfort to your roof. Have these branches trimmed as soon as you can. This way you can still enjoy the shade provided by the trees in your yard without having to worry about damage to your house.